Trailer emergency brake lamp

Abstract

An emergency brake illumination system for a trailer illuminates the trailer brake lamps upon application of the emergency brakes. The system includes a pressure switch which senses pressure in the emergency brake system. The pressure switch is electrically connected between the blue circuit and the red circuit of a seven-way connector. If a loss of pressure is sensed by the pressure switch, the switch closes and power is provided by the blue circuit to the red circuit to illuminate the brake lamps.

The invention claimed is:  
     
       1. An emergency brake lamp illumination system for a vehicle including: 
       a source of power;  
       a brake lamp;  
       a first circuit connected to a service brake pedal and said brake lamp of the vehicle, wherein said first circuit supplies power to said brake lamp when the service brake pedal is depressed;  
       a second circuit which continuously carries power from said power source when the vehicle is in use;  
       an air line;  
       a pressure switch which senses pressure in said air line; and  
       wherein when said pressure switch senses a loss of pressure in said air line, upon activation of said emergency brake said pressure switch closes and power is supplied from said second circuit to said first circuit to illuminate said brake lamp.  
     
     
       2. An emergency brake lamp illumination system as defined in  claim 1 , further including a flasher circuit electrically connected to said pressure switch and said first circuit. 
     
     
       3. An emergency brake lamp illumination system as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said brake lamp includes an LED. 
     
     
       4. An emergency brake lamp illumination system as defined in  claim 1 , further including a timer circuit electrically connected to said pressure switch and said first circuit. 
     
     
       5. An emergency brake lamp illumination system as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said brake lamp includes an incandescent bulb. 
     
     
       6. An emergency brake lamp illumination system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said second circuit is electrically connected to an anti-lock braking system. 
     
     
       7. An emergency brake lamp illumination system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first circuit is electrically connected to a seven-way connector. 
     
     
       8. An emergency brake lamp illumination system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said second circuit is electrically connected to a seven-way connector. 
     
     
       9. A tractor-trailer comprising an emergency brake: 
       a source of power provided on said tractor;  
       a service brake pedal provided on said tractor;  
       a brake lamp provided on said trailer;  
       a first circuit connected to said service brake pedal and said brake lamp, wherein said first circuit supplies power to said brake lamp when said service brake pedal is depressed;  
       a second circuit which continuously carries power from said power source when the tractor-trailer is in use;  
       an air line;  
       a pressure switch which senses pressure in said air line; and  
       wherein when said pressure switch senses a loss of pressure in said air line, upon activation of said emergency brake said pressure switch closes and power is supplied from said second circuit to said first circuit to illuminate said brake lamp.  
     
     
       10. A tractor-trailer as defined in  claim 9 , further including a flasher circuit electrically connected to said pressure switch and said first circuit. 
     
     
       11. A tractor-trailer as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said brake lamp includes an LED. 
     
     
       12. A tractor-trailer as defined in  claim 9 , further including a timer circuit electrically connected to said pressure switch and said first circuit. 
     
     
       13. A tractor-trailer as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said brake lamp includes an incandescent light bulb. 
     
     
       14. A tractor-trailer as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said second circuit is electrically connected to an anti-lock braking system. 
     
     
       15. A tractor-trailer as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said first circuit is electrically connected to a seven-way connector. 
     
     
       16. A tractor-trailer as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said second circuit is electrically connected to a seven-way connector. 
     
     
       17. A method of illuminating a brake lamp on a trailer connected to a tractor, including the steps of: 
       providing an emergency brake;  
       providing a power source on said tractor;  
       providing a service brake pedal on said tractor;  
       providing a brake lamp on said trailer;  
       providing a first circuit connected to said service brake pedal and said brake lamp, wherein said first circuit supplies power to said brake lamp when said service brake pedal is depressed;  
       providing a second circuit electrically connected to said power source, wherein when said trailer and said tractor are in use, power is continuously supplied to said second circuit;  
       providing an air line on said trailer;  
       providing a pressure switch on said trailer for sensing the presence of pressure in said air line; and  
       electrically connecting said first circuit to said second circuit by said pressure switch,  
       wherein when said pressure switch senses a loss of pressure in said air line, upon activation of said emergency brake said pressure switch closes and power is supplied from said second circuit through said pressure switch, to said first circuit and said brake lamps are illuminated.  
     
     
       18. The method as defined in  claim 17 , further including the step of providing a flasher circuit between said pressure switch and said first circuit. 
     
     
       19. The method as defined in  claim 17 , further including the step of providing a timer circuit between said pressure switch and said first circuit. 
     
     
       20. A method of illuminating a brake lamp on a trailer connected to a tractor as defined in  claim 17 , further including the step of providing an anti-lock braking system electrically connected to said second circuit. 
     
     
       21. A method of illuminating a brake lamp on a trailer connected to a tractor as defined in  claim 17 , further including the step of providing a seven-way connector electrically connected to said first circuit. 
     
     
       22. A method of illuminating a brake lamp on a trailer connected to a tractor as defined in  claim 17 , further including the step of providing a seven-way connector electrically connected to said second circuit.